Stephen Girard

Stephen Girard was born on May 20th, 1750. He had no sight in his right eye, and it not only kept him from sight it looked grotesque.

The cruelty of those with whom Girard associated in business and in casual social activity as they observed his affliction with obvious distaste, forced him into seclusion at times, and brought with it a stigma that labeled him as shy and withdrawn. (Independence Hall Association)Girard's first trip as a captain was on a ship named Sally and he was 23 years old. When he came back from his trip he was granted a license as a formal captain. On one voyage when Girard was traveling to New York, he was met by a blockade by the British. The blockade was for the colonists for rebelling against England. Girard was then steered south to Philadelphia where he was forced to dock. When he was at Philadelphia he realized he would have to make changes, Girard sided with the colonists and he also became a land merchant instead of a sea merchant. In 1776 Girard married the eighteen year old Mary Lum. After he married he purchased a home in New Jersey and started a shop that sold "sundry" items and provisions to the rebelling colonists. Yet when the British left Mount Holly he moved back to Philadelphia and continued his business. As said by the Independence Hall Association Girard was prospering. By 1781, he was a maritime entrepreneur of extraordinary dimensions. His expertise was widely recognized and his skills in business dealings seemed to flow quite naturally. But the success came from a practical and hard-working man. His prosperity came from an unstinting work ethic. All things pointed to a world full of promise and happiness.Although all seemed well his wife was not. In 1785 she announced to be Insane. Then also in 1793 the epidemic struck. George Washington fled and Girard could have done so as well but he chose to stay wit the sick and dying. Girard helped transform Bush Hill a dump mansion into a hospital that helped treat many victims of yellow fever. Girard previously only had his business but now he had the people's praise as well.